RADIO
Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer, respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season, which means it's time to sharpen our skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Today, I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel on Tuesday, December, 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM EDT. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools, including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via Twitter/X @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 12/19/23
We have finally made it! The 2023-2024 season is upon us and we welcome the next generational talent, Connor Bedard, to the front and center! With many big moves over the offseason, such as Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh, and many signings during free agency, this season will make for yet another interesting race to Lord Stanley!
Tonight we have an eleven-game slate and one team playing on a back-to-back, Minnesota. The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are Los Angeles with 4.1, Colorado with 4.1, and Buffalo with 3.8. I will do my best to guide you through this eleven-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Logan Thompson (VGK) - DK $7.5K || FD $8.2K
Opponent - Carolina Hurricanes
There are quite a few options in the $7K range on DraftKings tonight at the goalie position. Logan Thompson is one of the optimal plays in that range due to his opponent. The Hurricanes are the best shooting team, ranking first in Shots For Per 60, but they are only a middling team when analyzing their Goals For Per 60. Furthermore, they are the sixth-worst on the slate in Shots Per Goal Per 60. In what is expected to be a fast-paced matchup, Thompson has a real shot at hitting the Save Bonus – 35 or more saves – on DraftKings tonight.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Thatcher Demko (DK $7.8K || FD $8.5K)
- Connor Ingram (DK $7.8K || FD $8.3K)
Want more NHL DFS tools and content? Our NHL Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer and access to our VIP Discord Chatrooms. Doug Shain (@BanksterDFS) joins the NHL team in 2023 with his proven track record - join in on the winning!
Back to back @DraftKings Fantasy Hockey World Championship trips! Let’s get the main prize this year! Thank you to @banksterdfs for the amazing daily fantasy content! @NHL pic.twitter.com/dONSvJMtIR
— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) - DK $8K || FD $9K
Opponent - New York Islanders
While many have been on Connor McDavid in the past and will be on him tonight, lineups have changed and teammate Leon Draisaitl now has the better matchup, especially considering the opponent. Winger/center hybrid Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has dropped down to the second line in an attempt to kickstart Draisaitl’s production. The duo is also going up against one of the worst defensive forward lines in the entire league, the Islanders' second line. Over the season the hosts are the third-worst in both Shots Against Per 60 and Scoring Chances Against Per 60. They are also the sixth-worst in High Danger Chances Against Per 60. Throughout Draisaitl’s last five appearances, he has two goals, two assists, 13 shots, and three blocked shots.
Morgan Geekie (BOS) - DK $3.6K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is traveling to Boston on the second half of their back-to-back after losing 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night with the better of their two goalies in net. The Wild were dominated last night for the bulk of the game and should have been shut out if not for multiple errors by the Penguins. This sets up Geekie and the Bruins for a potential big night. With numerous spots to pay up at, value is needed tonight and the center man is the optimal play. As the top-line center next to winger David Pastrnak, Geekie is immediately set up for success. In three games since being promoted to the top line, he has two goals, one assist, six shots, and two blocked shots.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Nathan MacKinnon (DK $9.8K || FD $10.2K)
- Anze Kopitar (DK $6.4K || FD $7.3K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Kevin Fiala (LAK) - DK $6.1K || FD $7.2K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
Fiala and the second line of the Kings have one of the best line matches on the entire slate tonight. The Sharks' second line is their worst forward line defensively. Furthermore, the team as a whole is on a historically bad run this season. They are the worst in Shots Against, Scoring Chances Against, and Goals Against, and the second-worst in High Danger Chances Against, all Per 60. Fiala as a one-off play is also an optimal move depending on roster construction, thanks to his high shot volume. In the winger’s last five games, he has six assists, 11 shots, and one blocked shot.
Valeri Nichushkin (COL) - DK $6.6K || FD $7.5K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Nichushkin is back and better than ever. After drama from last season and a few bumps this season, the winger is just under a point-per-game pace, something he has never done in nine seasons in the NHL. Over his last five games, he has three goals, three assists, 22 shots, and two blocked shots. Despite playing on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, Nichushkin is still finding enough shot volume to stay relevant when he isn’t producing points. The Blackhawks are playing better as of late, conceding only nine goals in their last five games, however, over the season it is a different story. The hosts are the second-worst in both Scoring Chances Against and High Danger Chances Against, as well as the fifth-worst in Shots Against and the third-worst in Goals Against, all Per 60.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Brandon Hagel (DK $5.2K || FD $6.4K)
- Zach Benson (DK $3.5K || FD $3.7K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Drew Doughty (LAK) - DK $4.8K || FD $5.9K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
Doughty may be the easiest play of the slate. After going on a four-game point streak where he amassed three goals and two assists, Doughty has gone scoreless in his last three. During that frame, he has seven shots and five blocked shots, barely hitting value most nights. However, all three of those games were against harder opposition and he now gets to face the San Jose Sharks for the first time this season. As mentioned, the Sharks are criminally bad in all facets of the game, leaving plenty of chances for Doughty to exceed value tonight.
Kevin Shattenkirk (BOS) - DK $3.7K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
Surprisingly, Shattenkirk has not filled in for teammate Charlie McAvoy as well as many may have thought he would. The veteran defenseman in four games since his promotion has one goal, two assists, five shots, and four blocked shots. For someone of his caliber, that is well below expectations. Luckily, he has a meeting with the Minnesota Wild tonight, a team that was butchered by the Penguins. As long as Shattenkirk continues to man the top power-play unit, he will always have the chance to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Rasmus Dahlin (DK $6.1K || FD $7.5K)
- Josh Manson (DK $3.6K || FD $4.2K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- COL1
- LA1
- EDM1
- BUF1
- TOR1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- EDM: Nugent-Hopkins-Draisaitl-Foegele
Chalk Stack
- COL: Nichushkin-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Sneaky Stack
- VGK: Howden-Stephenson-Marchessault
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
